BILL NUMBER: SCR 14	CHAPTERED  09/21/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   125
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 21, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 8, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 30, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 16, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Baca

                        FEBRUARY 12, 1999

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 14--Relative to Mexican
independence.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 14, Baca.  Mexican independence.
   This measure would call on all the people of California to join
the people of Mexico and Californians of Mexican heritage in
celebrating Mexican independence on the anniversary of the popular
uprising of September 16, 1810.




   WHEREAS, For centuries the people of Mexico suffered under the
political and economic oppression of the government of Spain; and
   WHEREAS, The resistance of the people to Spanish rule flourished
during the late 18th century and culminated in plans to create an
independent Mexico, free of foreign domination; and
   WHEREAS, On the 16th of September, 1810, a popular uprising was
launched when a leader of the freedom fighters, Don Miguel Hidalgo y
Costilla, the priest of the town of Dolores, proclaimed to his
congregation:  "Long live independence!  Death to bad government!";
and
   WHEREAS, Don Miguel's proclamation marked the beginning of the
Mexican people's long struggle for independence from the tyranny of a
distant monarchy; and
   WHEREAS, Nearly 11 years later, New Spain won its independence
from Old Spain and proclaimed itself the nation of Mexico; and
   WHEREAS, Forty years later, the Mexican people drove a new invader
in the form of troops from France from their soil and established,
once and for all, their independence from foreign domination; and
   WHEREAS, The people of Mexico have, through their courage and
tenacity, created a proud heritage of independence, often against
overwhelming odds; and
   WHEREAS, The nation of Mexico has emerged as an economically, as
well as a politically powerful participant in world affairs; and
   WHEREAS, Mexico and the United States, particularly the State of
California, are now forming ever closer ties, both cultural and
economic, that benefit both nations; and
   WHEREAS, More than one in four Californians now trace their roots
to Mexico, a number that is expected to grow to nearly 40 percent of
the state's population in the next quarter century; and
   WHEREAS, People of Mexican heritage have played a major role in
the history of California for more than four centuries and now play
an increasingly important role in all facets of the state's economic,
cultural, and political life; and
   WHEREAS, The nation of Mexico and its people have proven to be
good neighbors to the United States and the State of California; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
hereby calls on all the people of California to join the people of
Mexico and Californians of Mexican heritage in celebrating the 16th
of September with the cry of Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla:  "Long
live independence!  Death to bad government!"
